Cherry Blossom Bath Bomb DIY

Here in the Pacific Northwest, the cherry blossom trees are blooming. Their delicate pink petals are the inspiration for these Cherry Blossom Bath Bombs. They’re also inspired by the creative bath bombs by Willow and Honey Gourmet Soap Co. Their abstract style of mica painting is so fun to create – each bath bomb looks unique.

In addition to bath bomb essentials like baking soda and citric acid, this recipe has a touch of lotus flower extract. It adds moisture to the mixture, which can prevent crumbling. The extract also feels great on the skin. Polysorbate 80 is an emulsifier that helps the oil and color mix into the bath water rather than pooling on top.

The “paint” is created by mixing mica and 99% isopropyl alcohol. Painting bath bombs can be messy, so you may want to lay down some newspaper to protect your work surface.

ONE: In a large bowl, combine 20 oz. of baking soda and 10 oz. of citric acid. To get rid of clumps in the mixture, you can push the powders through a sifter or break them up with your fingers. Citric acid has a tendency to take off nail polish, so wear gloves to protect your manicure. Thoroughly stir everything together.

TWO: In a small glass container, add 0.4 oz. of lotus flower extract, 0.6 oz. Cherry Blossom Fragrance Oil, and 0.2 oz. of polysorbate 80. Use a spoon to mix all the liquids together.

FOUR: Test the consistency of the bath bomb mixture. The perfect consistency is similar to wet sand and holds its shape when squeezed. If it’s too dry, use one hand to spritz the mixture with witch hazel and one to mix. Continue spritzing until the mixture holds its shape.

FIVE: Firmly press the bath bomb mixture into each cavity of the Silicone Square Mold.

SIX: Allow the bath bombs to dry for several hours or up to overnight. Remove from the molds.

SEVEN: In separate containers, mix about 0.5 teaspoon of Party Pink Mica and Super Pearly White Mica with about 1.5 teaspoons of 99% isopropyl alcohol and stir to get rid of clumps. The consistency of the mica paint is up to you. If you want a more saturated color, add a touch more mica. If you want a thinner, less saturated mixture, add more 99% isopropyl alcohol. Test the consistency on a paper towel or piece of paper.

EIGHT: Create a streak of pink across each bath bomb diagonally with a flat and wide paint brush.

NINE: Use a different paint brush to splatter drops of Super Pearly White Mica on top of the bath bombs. There is no right or wrong way to do this, so have fun with it.

TEN: Allow the bath bombs to fully dry. When you’re ready to use, drop them into a hot bath and enjoy.

In a large bowl, combine 20 oz. of baking soda and 10 oz. of citric acid. To get rid of clumps in the mixture, you can push the powders through a sifter or break them up with your fingers. Citric acid has a tendency to take off nail polish, so wear gloves to protect your manicure. Thoroughly stir everything together.

In a small glass container, add 0.4 oz. of lotus flower extract, 0.6 oz. Cherry Blossom Fragrance Oil, and 0.2 oz. of polysorbate 80. Use a spoon to mix all the liquids together.

Add the oil mixture to the baking soda and citric acid mixture. Use your hands to thoroughly mix everything together.

Test the consistency of the bath bomb mixture. The perfect consistency is similar to wet sand and holds its shape when squeezed. If it’s too dry, use one hand to spritz the mixture with witch hazel and one to mix. Continue spritzing until the mixture holds its shape.

Firmly press the bath bomb mixture into each cavity of the Silicone Square Mold.

Allow the bath bombs to dry for several hours or up to overnight. Remove from the molds.

In separate containers, mix about 0.5 teaspoon of Party Pink Mica and Super Pearly White Mica with about 1.5 teaspoons of 99% isopropyl alcohol and stir to get rid of clumps. The consistency of the mica paint is up to you. If you want a more saturated color, add a touch more mica. If you want a thinner, less saturated mixture, add more 99% isopropyl alcohol. Test the consistency on a paper towel or piece of paper.

Create a streak of pink across each bath bomb diagonally with a flat and wide paint brush.

Use a different paint brush to splatter drops of Super Pearly White Mica on top of the bath bombs. There is no right or wrong way to do this, so have fun with it.

Allow the bath bombs to fully dry. When you’re ready to use, drop them into a hot bath and enjoy.

Polysorbate 80 helps your colorant and oils mix in with the water, rather than pooling on top. It is completely optional, but definitely helpful in a bath bomb. Polysorbate 20 does not make a suitable replacement.

Hello! Could you please tell me why do you use Witch Hazel instead of water or alcohol to moisture the mixture? In my country Witch Hazel is rather expensive and our community wonders if there is any secret in using Witch Hazel in bath bombs? Thank you!

I’m not sure, the fragrance may give the paint an oily appearance or sink into the bath bomb and create a divot. You may try a tester bath bomb to see if it works. As for how much, I would recommend just a drop or two of fragrance to start with.

You really should increase the citric acid in any bath bomb recipe to equal the baking soda (a 1:1 ratio instead of 1:2). Recipes with the 1:2 ratio result in quite alkaline bathwater. A slightly acidic PH level is much better for your skin and intimate areas. I find that with a 5 oz bath bomb in a bath tub, the 1:1 ratio will give you a PH around 6.

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